Banner Variety

I'd meant to include something about the variety of men at Banner. Obviously we take up a pretty narrow segment on the theological spectrum but there is great variety otherwise and it is part of what I like about it. Obviously there is a range of ages. Mr Cherry, in his nineties, was unable to be present this year but there were some retired ministers in their seventies as well as men in their twenties and all points between. The Irishmen, Scots, the Dutch in their black suits and the Taffia are all well represented as well as plenty of Englishmen (of various sorts) and a sprinkling of more exotic types. Some are Presbyterian, some Congregationalist, some Baptist, one or two Anglicans, etc. Some are married, some single, some widowed. It goes further than that though. Some are college professors (with doctorates), some cross-cultural missionaries, some workers with Christian organisations and some evangelists (often with no formal qualifications). Some, I guess, scrape by financially, while one or two present (I'm told) are pretty wealthy. There men present with their fathers and some who have a very different background. You see old tattoos on some. One previously trained as a Roman Catholic priest, some are of Jewish extraction, one is a former Sikh, one is the son of an imam, one served time for murder.

I don't think it proves anything as such but the lie that only certain types are Christian or Reformed or Ministers is well and truly scotched at Banner.